President Lee: "Comprehensive Review of Safety Systems for Large Logistics Facilities to Be Conducted"

President Lee Jae-myung stated regarding the major fire at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon, "We will thoroughly investigate the cause of this fire and conduct a comprehensive review of the safety management systems for large logistics facilities to prepare effective, overarching measures to ensure such accidents do not recur."

President Lee wrote this on his social media today (July 18), noting, "Following the recent warehouse fire in Gyeonggi-do, another major fire has occurred today at the Coupang logistics center in Incheon."

President Lee emphasized, "The government has issued a national firefighting mobilization order and is focusing all efforts on extinguishing the fire by mobilizing all available resources," adding, "We will remain vigilant and continue our response until the flames are completely brought under control and the situation is stabilized."

He also expressed his gratitude, saying, "I deeply thank the firefighters who are working day and night at the scene to extinguish the fire," and urged, "I ask nearby residents to follow the guidance of the central and local governments and prioritize their safety."

Furthermore, he instructed corporate and on-site officials to "make extra efforts to ensure that not only are fire safety facilities inspected and maintained, but that workplace safety protocols are strictly followed on the ground."

President Lee wrote, "The ongoing heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and successive major fires are threatening our daily lives," and added, "As the scale and nature of disasters are becoming increasingly complex, we will supplement our disaster management system based on the principle of preemptive prevention and rapid response, rather than just post-disaster recovery."

He concluded by pledging, "I will never forget that the reason for the state's existence is to protect the lives and safety of its people."

The fire at the Coupang logistics center began around 6:50 a.m. today on the 6th floor of the Coupang 32 Logistics Center in Seoknam-dong, Seo-gu, Incheon.

Fire authorities issued a Level 1 response at 9:15 a.m., two hours and 21 minutes after the fire started, followed by a Level 2 response at approximately 12:25 p.m., and a national firefighting mobilization order at around 3:15 p.m. to continue suppression efforts.

At the time of the fire, 121 people, including logistics center staff, evacuated on their own.

During the firefighting process, a firefighter in his 40s inhaled smoke and was transported to a hospital, where he is currently receiving treatment.

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.